Early in the morning the next day, Jiang Ruan received an invitation from Princess He Yi, inviting her to Mu Feng Pavilion. When Bai Zhi came to deliver the invitation, she was still somewhat bewildered. She did not know what Jiang Ruan had asked Tian Zhu to do, and only thought that Princess He Yi was up to no good. She could not help but remind her, "Miss, Princess He Yi must have an ulterior motive for coming here at this time. Miss should not fall into her trap."
Lian Qiao also nodded in agreement, "Now that so many pairs of eyes in the palace are closely watching Miss, we absolutely cannot let anything happen at this critical juncture. Why don't this servant reply to this invitation and say that Miss is inconvenient?"
"No need." Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "You can just help me tidy up my clothes."
Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi looked at each other. Seeing that Jiang Ruan seemed to have an idea, they could only do as she said. Instead, Lu Zhu came over and said, "Miss, hasn't Princess He Yi already … Could it be that nothing has happened to her?"
It was impossible for a dead person to send an invitation, and there was no such thing as ghosts or gods in this world. Unless Princess He Yi was still alive, otherwise, why would this invitation appear for no reason?
"Impossible." Jiang Ruan said. Yesterday, Tian Zhu had already inquired about Princess He Yi. Princess He Yi had returned to her bedchamber last night, and did not even go to Shu Fang Palace. Princess He Yi had done such a big thing yesterday, but did not mention anything. According to the palace maids, Princess He Yi's behavior was also somewhat strange, as if she did not want to talk much.
In this way, it was very likely that the "Princess He Yi" who entered the bedchamber was not the real Princess He Yi. This invitation must have been sent by the "Princess He Yi". Of course, the person who really wanted to invite her was not the fake "Princess He Yi", but the person behind her.
The invitation had already been sent to the Princess Palace, how could she not attend the appointment? This would save her a lot of trouble. She raised her eyebrows and shook out a letter from her sleeve, handing it to Tian Zhu, "It is not convenient for you to show your face. Find a chance to send this letter to the hands of the State Preceptor, Hui Jue."
Tian Zhu nodded. After Jiang Ruan changed her clothes, she let Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu follow her to Mu Feng Pavilion.
Although the scenery of the Cleansing Wind Pavilion was very good, it was very close to the Cold Palace. Usually, the palace concubines were afraid of being tainted by bad luck, so they did not come here often. The eunuchs and palace maids had a lot of things to do every day, so they did not have the leisure to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Since their masters were not here, they naturally would not come here. However, Princess He Yi still liked this place very much.
When Jiang Ruan reached the corridor of Mu Feng Pavilion, from afar, she could see a silhouette leaning over a table. Looking at the clothes and accessories, it was undoubtedly Princess He Yi, and the two servant girls beside her were Princess He Yi's personal palace maids. Lu Zhu frowned when she saw this. Princess He Yi was still alive? Could it be that what Baizhi had said was true? That he had thought of some evil method to harm Jiang Ruan?
Baizhi was more attentive than Dewdrop. Her sharp eyes discovered that Junzhu He Yi's prone body was somewhat strange, but she could not tell what was strange about it. He was like a puppet stuffed with cotton. His posture was stiff, and even the movement of his shoulders was very unnatural. Baizhi kept an eye on him. She did not know why, but there was a sense of anxiety in her heart. She could not help but want to remind Jiang Ruan again, but she saw that Jiang Ruan did not even blink as she walked towards Princess He Yi.
She walked unhurriedly, as if she did not feel that this was something to be vigilant about. It was as if she had really come to attend an ordinary afternoon invitation between good friends.
When she walked in front of Princess He Yi, the two palace maids beside her bowed their heads in unison and called out, "Long live Hong 'an Princess."
Jiang Ruan indifferently glanced at Princess He Yi. At this time, as she walked closer, she could see clearly that on the stone table, Princess He Yi's face was buried in the table, as if she had fallen asleep. The closer she got, the more she could smell the strong fragrance emitted from Princess He Yi's body.
It was normal for noble ladies in the palace to like to use cosmetics and fragrances. It was just that the more expensive the fragrances, the lighter the fragrance. The lighter the fragrance, the more elegant it felt. With Princess He Yi's strong fragrance, it was not much different from those famous courtesans.
Dewdrop first looked at Princess He Yi with some doubt. Then, her eyes widened as if she had thought of something. Afraid that the two palace maids would find out, she quickly lowered her head. The shock in her heart could not be any greater. How could Princess He Yi use such a strong fragrance? Normally, she would not be able to understand, but after listening to Jiang Ruan's words yesterday, it seemed to have given her a breakthrough in her doubts. This fragrance was too strong. It did not seem like it was used to decorate, but rather to hide something.
Hide what? It must be to cover up the smell of blood and decay!
Dewdrop's heart jumped. The dead Princess He Yi was sitting here, and someone had sent an invitation to Jiang Ruan in her name. What other purpose could there be? It was clearly a trap set up for Jiang Ruan!
"Miss," Dewdrop called out anxiously.
Jiang Ruan turned her head and glanced at her. The understanding and calmness in her gaze made Dewdrop slightly stunned. She did not know why, but Dewdrop felt that Jiang Ruan's glance had swept away her uneasiness. She slowly calmed down. Thinking that her Miss was always devising strategies, she was afraid that today's matter had already been predicted, so she might as well wait and see.
Although Bai Zhi also did not understand what was going on, she felt that Princess He Yi's invitation today was inexplicable. However, her temperament had always been calmer. She just stared at Jiang Ruan and did not let her imagination run wild.
The two palace maids stood in place without saying a word. Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows and smiled slightly, "Is Princess He Yi asleep?"
One of Princess He Yi's personal palace maids nodded and said, "Yes, we servants do not dare to disturb Princess."
"Then how about I wake her up?" Jiang Ruan said with a smile that was not a smile. This somewhat unpredictable tone instantly startled the two palace maids. They did not expect Jiang Ruan to respond so readily, which saved them a lot of trouble. However, when they heard Jiang Ruan's tone, they did not know why they felt uneasy, as if they were being spied on. The two of them looked at each other and both lowered their heads.
Jiang Ruan slowly stretched out her hand and pressed it on Princess He Yi's shoulder. Sure enough, wherever her hand touched, there was a stretch of stiffness. A trace of a smile floated on her lips as she abruptly pushed Princess He Yi backwards.
With a 'bang', Princess He Yi fell from the stone bench, rolled on the ground, and lay on her back facing the sky. At this time, it could be clearly seen that Princess He Yi's abdomen was stabbed with an exquisite dagger. The blood on the dagger was bright, covering the original traces. Princess He Yi's eyes were wide open, and her lips were pale. Obviously, she had been dead for a long time.
Because Dewdrop had been mentally prepared, she was only startled, but Bai Zhi was so frightened that she cried out involuntarily. Princess He Yi's eyes happened to meet Jiang Ruan's, as if she had suffered great pain and disbelief before her death. Her eyes revealed resentment and fear, as if she was a demon demanding life.
"Princess!" The two palace maids cried out in unison, and their expressions suddenly changed. One of them pointed at Jiang Ruan and said, "You actually killed Princess!"
Jiang Ruan was neither happy nor angry, and said indifferently, "Oh, why do you think so?"
From just now until now, when she suddenly saw Princess He Yi's corpse, there was not the slightest change in her expression. If she was not scheming deeply, then she had already anticipated what would happen. No matter which one it was, it was very frightening. However, Jiang Ruan's nonchalant attitude made it even more difficult for them to figure out the details. In their shock, the two palace maids could only bite the bullet and continue acting according to the script. One of them said angrily, "Hong 'an Princess is so ruthless. The two of us saw with our own eyes that Hong' an Princess and Princess He Yi offended Princess He Yi, and Hong 'an Princess mercilessly killed Princess He Yi. Even in front of His Majesty, Hong' an Princess is still a murderer!"
"Saw it with your own eyes?" Jiang Ruan laughed in a low voice, "There are two of you, but I also have two people here. You saw with your own eyes that I killed He Yi, but I'm afraid that these two servant girls of mine saw things a little differently."
After the initial fear, Bai Zhi also recognized the situation. When she heard the palace maids speak lies with their eyes wide open and wanted to frame Jiang Ruan, she was extremely angry. Now that she heard Jiang Ruan say this, she immediately reacted and said, "Exactly, the two elder sisters' words are very strange. When our young lady came, Princess had already died."
"Indeed." Lu Zhu said, "There is nothing wrong with the two elder sisters' words, and the three pairs of eyes on our side also did not make a mistake."
The palace maids did not expect Jiang Ruan to be so calm even at this moment, and even have the mood to argue with them. For a moment, they did not know what to say. At this moment, they only heard a voice behind them, "Princess is indeed extraordinarily courageous and insightful. In front of a great enemy, you talk cheerfully and wittily, this prince also admires you."
Jiang Ruan turned around and saw a person walking in from outside the corridor. As usual, he was dressed in simple brown clothing. Who else could it be but the Fourth Prince, Xuan Lang?
Although they did not manage to catch the mastermind, at least this trip was not completely fruitless. Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "Your Fourth Highness."
"Princess, now it is not just the two of us." Xuan Lang's smile was very warm and amiable, and there was even a bit of joy that came from the bottom of his heart, "This prince also saw the process of Princess committing the crime with my own eyes. Even if the words of the two palace maids do not carry enough weight, I wonder if this prince's words will count?"
Lu Zhu and Bai Zhi stared hatefully at Xuan Lang. Even if he was a prince that was not favoured in the palace, with his identity and status, if Xuan Lang really came out to testify, Jiang Ruan would not be able to gain the upper hand. Especially now that Jiang Xin Zhi's whereabouts were unknown, many people in the imperial court were watching Jiang Ruan's every move, hoping that she would make a mistake. If she was really charged with this crime and everyone came up to step on her, it would be very difficult for Jiang Ruan to stand up again.
"Your Fourth Highness, there is no harm in getting straight to the point." Jiang Ruan sighed, "It is very tiring to talk in circles like this."
Xuan Lang nodded, "This prince also thinks so. This prince believes that Princess was impulsive just now and did not do it on purpose. In fact, Eighth Younger Brother has admired Princess for a long time. Since Princess is Eighth Younger Brother's sweetheart, this prince will not make things too difficult for Princess. "
Jiang Ruan did not speak and only quietly looked at Xuan Lang with a smile. She did not respond to Xuan Lang's words, and Xuan Lang appeared to be somewhat embarrassed. However, Xuan Lang was not really as weak as he appeared on the surface. In some matters, Xuan Lang was more persistent than Jiang Dan, and he was also much more shameless. Even though he met with Jiang Ruan's cold reception, he still continued regardless, "Although this matter has developed to this point, it is not completely hopeless. If there is anyone in the palace who can protect Princess, it can only be Eighth Younger Brother. If Princess can obtain Eighth Younger Brother's protection, it will not be difficult to solve this matter perfectly. "
"How to solve this?" Jiang Ruan looked at her fingertips, her expression unchanged. Xuan Lang saw this and his brows furrowed imperceptibly.
After a pause, he said, "At least Eighth Younger Brother can think of a way to cover up this matter and not let Princess be wronged."
Jiang Ruan finally seemed to be somewhat impatient and asked, "Eighth Highness and I are only acquaintances, how can I obtain his protection?"
"Princess, don't say that." Xuan Lang's face lit up and he immediately spoke with fervor and assurance, "Princess is Eighth Younger Brother's sweetheart, but now that Deputy General Jiang's whereabouts are unknown at the border, Princess's days in the palace are more or less abyss of suffering. If she is not careful and makes a mistake, there will be countless eyes staring at her. If she truly wants to obtain Eighth Younger Brother's protection, the only long-term way is to enter Eighth Younger Brother's fu. "
As he spoke, Xuan Lang could not help but clench his fists, feeling somewhat nervous.
Xuan Lang could not help but be proud of himself when he proposed this method to Xuan Li. He knew that Xuan Li had his heart set on Jiang Ruan, but he did not know why Jiang Ruan treated him like a snake or a scorpion. Recently, the matter of Xiao Shao asking the Emperor to bestow a marriage was more like a thorn in Xuan Li's heart. Xuan Lang had followed Xuan Li for so long that he was well aware of some of Xuan Li's thoughts.
For example, right now, if he could use this matter to control Jiang Ruan and force her to marry Xuan Li, it would definitely make Xuan Li happier than finding a scapegoat to make Princess He Yi's death have another name. If this matter was successful, Xuan Li would certainly give him credit. In the future, when the important matter was accomplished, he would also have a few more chips.
However, although Xuan Lang could predict other things, he was slow to predict Jiang Ruan's attitude. If he used ordinary methods, it would certainly not work, so he could only use Princess He Yi's life and Jiang Xin Zhi's well-being as a threat. In Xuan Lang's view, the reason why Jiang Ruan did not choose Xuan Li was because there was a better choice. However, when it came to her own interests, she had no other choice. Women were all the same. No matter how powerful a woman was, at some point, other than showing weakness and begging for mercy, there was nothing she could do. Just like Princess He Yi in the past.
Jiang Ruan asked indifferently, "Eighth Highness arranged such a show just to force me to marry? You really think too highly of me. "
Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu had long been indignant in their hearts. They did not expect Xuan Li to do such a despicable thing for his own selfish desires. He actually splashed such dirty water on Jiang Ruan. However, the death of a princess of a country was not a small matter.
"Princess, please do not belittle yourself." Xuan Lang smiled, "In Eighth Younger Brother's heart, no one is more precious than Princess."
Jiang Ruan was slightly startled. Xuan Li often said these words in her previous life. At that time, she lived in the depths of the palace and did not see the light of day. Sometimes, when faced with Xuan Li's consideration, she would also feel inferior. Xuan Li often said, "You don't have to belittle yourself so much. In my heart, no one is more precious than you."
Now that these words came out of Xuan Lang's mouth, Jiang Ruan only felt that it was ironic. In this life, Jiang Ruan did not belittle herself, but Xuan Li overestimated her position in her heart. In her heart, Xuan Li was a smelly insect, disgusting no matter how she looked at him.
"Fourth Highness is used to saying nice things," Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "I don't know if it's because you have been someone's dog for too long that you only know how to say nice things."
"You-" Xuan Lang's expression changed. He really did not understand why Jiang Ruan, who had been fine just now, would suddenly change her expression. These words were really too ear-piercing, and immediately poked at Xuan Lang's weak spot. If not for Jiang Ruan's status, Xuan Lang almost could not help but hit her. Perhaps Xuan Lang thought that following Xuan Li now had a bright future, and he was also somewhat arrogant because of his status. Otherwise, in the past, when he heard Jiang Ruan say this, he would just give a weak smile and brush it off. But now, he did not know if it was because he had already killed Princess He Yi, but once the dark side of human nature was stimulated, it would be extremely difficult to retract it.
Xuan Lang's face was ashen as he said to Jiang Ruan, "This prince has good intentions, but Princess speaks ill of me. It really makes one feel regretful."
"You don't have to feel regretful," Jiang Ruan casually glanced at the corpse on the ground, "Even if you want to say that I killed her, it doesn't matter. However, I will not marry Xuan Li."
"What did you say?" Xuan Lang looked at her incredulously, "Do you know what your words mean?"
"I would like to hear the details." Jiang Ruan made a posture of listening respectfully, but in Xuan Lang's eyes, that smile was full of mockery.
"Today, under the watchful eyes of the public, you killed Princess He Yi, which is a great crime. Princess He Yi is Imperial Father's most beloved daughter, and you are only a Princess conferred by the Minister's fu halfway. How can Imperial Father be partial to you? This time, even Imperial Grandmother cannot protect you, and Deputy General Jiang also met with an accident at the border. At this time, if you kill Princess He Yi, do you know what the court will say? " Xuan Lang's voice contained a bit of intimidation, "You and Jiang Xin Zhi have long harbored rebellious intentions, working together to trample on the dignity of the imperial family and betray the land of the Great Jin dynasty! You can enter the prison alive, but you cannot come out alive! "
These words caused Lu Zhu and Bai Zhi's expressions to change. Although they secretly hated Xuan Lang for being shameless, in their hearts, they had to admit that everything Xuan Lang said was right. As long as Jiang Ruan was accused of murdering Princess He Yi, it would be very difficult for her to extricate herself from this matter.
"Thank you, Fourth Highness, for your advice." Jiang Ruan seemed to have not heard Xuan Lang's words at all, and only lightly nodded, saying, "You really have broadened my horizons."
"At this point, you still refuse to change your mind?" Xuan Lang's incredulity had turned into ridicule, and he only thought that Jiang Ruan was crazy. In his opinion, choosing the other path was the road to the Yellow Springs. Jiang Ruan would rather die than marry Xuan Li, it could only mean that her brain was damaged.
"Fourth Highness, do what you want to do, whether it is to be sent to prison or to the Imperial Court. In short, I cannot marry Xuan Li. "She said," I have already told you before, what makes you think that I will change my mind? "
Xuan Lang looked at Jiang Ruan for a long time, and finally said, "Can you tell me one thing, why are you unwilling to marry Eighth Brother, do you have any grudges?"
"Perhaps it is a grudge from a previous life." Jiang Ruan said lightly, "The important thing is, it is too disgusting."
"Disgusting?" Xuan Lang was stunned.
"Yes. Disgusting. "
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